A look into Sabarimala issue

The verdict regarding entry of certain age group women in Sabarimala temple has taken a new wave. The Supreme court declared the entry of women aged between 10 and 50. The issue came for the first time in 1990 in Kerala High court when a rice feeding ceremony of a granddaughter of former Devaswom Commissioner in presence of her daughter took place in the temple.

The Woman Lawyer's Federation of India argued that barring certain aged group women from entering the temple will affect the fundamental rights. But High court directed the board not to permit woman aged between 10 and 50 before. Now the Supreme court has struck down the rule that prohibited entry of certain groups.

Contrary to what was expected, the state saw most woman claiming they are ready to wait. Ready to wait for campaign moves with a vision to save the traditions of the temple. 

The tradition of prohibiting certain group accounts for many factors. Some say it is because impurities associated with menstruation and others say about tradition.

Lord Ayyappa is the son of Mohini and Shiva and born to kill evil Queen Mahishi. After she was killed, the curse was undone. It is believed that she proposed to Ayyappa to marry her but he wanted to be a Brahmachari. So he asked her to wait until a time comes where there are no new devotees climbing Sabarimala. It was also said a trick by God. So it is believed that she is waiting for Ayyappa and is worshipped as Maalikapurathamma. Devotees worshipping Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala does a type of fasting and it could be up to 41 days. Certain communities have put forward this as an issue to a woman. Because the woman in the age group of 10 to 50 has a menstrual cycle so they claim it would not be possible.

According to me, all religion has got its own beliefs. So a decision like this has to be taken after considering many aspects. Because most of the woman in the state say they do not want to change tradition and are ready to wait till they age so as to worship Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala. Strikes were organised in various parts of the state even by a woman, which focus on Save Sabarimala and stating they are ready to wait to worship the Lord. So there is a mix of opinions in the issue of entry of woman of certain aged groups in Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Issues regarding religious matters must be analysed deeply to avoid complex dilemmas in it.